He smiled again, more sneeringly than before, and Jerome felt his heart warm towards him. This classification of Mr. Bolton with one world, and of himself with quite another, was not unpleasant to him. ‘Many things have happened which go sorely against the grain with me,’ he rejoined. ‘The mischief of it is, my hands are tied. I am powerless, because I am moneyless.’ ‘I have heard of your losses,’ said Father Somerville, ‘and regret them. You will believe me, Mr. Wellfield, when I say that we at Brentwood would have welcomed you back in any case, rich or poor, with the Abbey or without it, as a gentleman and a civilised being. We shall welcome you as it is, if you decide to settle amongst us—welcome you heartily. And you will think no wrong when I say that had you been coming amongst us to take that position which in the sight of heaven you ought to have, we should have welcomed you, not more sincerely, but perhaps more openly and ceremoniously.’ ‘You flatter me,’ said Jerome, a flush of something like pleasure on his cheek. ‘Such a welcome can by no means be indifferent to me. As to settling here myself, it seems the only thing for me to do at present. At any rate, even if I should have to leave, I shall bring my sister here, and she will live here.’ ‘Your sister! How old is Miss Wellfield, if I may ask?’ ‘Sixteen. She is at present in Germany with—a friend.’ ‘I see. When you have settled things, you will bring her here. And yourself—pardon these inquiries, and do not answer them if you think them not allowable, but——’ ‘They are more than allowable. They are very kind; and I feel it a privilege to be able to speak to you of my affairs,’ returned Wellfield, with some animation. ‘Myself, I consider destitute until I have found some employment. What little remains of my fortune, I shall devote entirely to my sister’s use. With strict economy, and in this quiet place, I may make it suffice for her wants. They say trade is good. I may succeed in finding a clerk’s place in some office, in which a “thorough knowledge of several foreign languages” is a desideratum, though, to tell the truth, I should first have to learn the entire technique of any business I entered. I should be a bad bargain at first for any employer, whatever glories I might attain to later in the matter of book-keeping or correspondence. Still, I may earn enough to keep me—what do I know?’ He threw up his head, and laughed a little, plunging his hands into his pockets. Father Somerville watched him narrowly and unobserved. The study pleased him, interested him, made him curious to pursue it further. There was a pause till the priest said: ‘If I remember aright, you are a good musician, Mr. Wellfield.’ ‘Yes. It is the only thing I have—the only talent my God has given me. Of much use it appears it will be to me!’ ‘Hush, hush, sir! As you say, your God has given it to you, and He doubtless had some purpose in so endowing you.’